Reader Questions…Yoga Mats, Postpartum Fitness, TV Shows and More!

Hope it was a good Monday! It’s spring break here in Charlotte so I am teaching a LOT of yoga this week due to sub needs…14 hot classes…it’s going to be a long, sweaty week. 🙂

I have received quite a few reader questions lately that I thought would be beneficial and fun to answer for everyone.

Yoga Mat Recommendations…

I was hoping you could recommend a good mat that I won’t slide around on? I started out with a cheap mat and then invested in an Aurorae mat, which has sort of a carpet-like texture and got good reviews online, but I’m finding that I’m still sliding around in poses like down dog and triangle. I know you’re very busy, but if you could point me in the right direction, I’d be so grateful. – Sara

I was searching through the blog to see if you’ve ever posted any yoga mat recommendations. Or if not, do you have some favorites you could share? – Kelsey

I love my Manduka PRO yoga mat. I got it five years ago and it’s as good as new. It feels like home when I roll it out and practice on it. I love the Manduka PRO mats because they’re thick and cushioned. I have the original black mat but they now come in so many fun colors. Regarding the slip factor, most yoga mats will get slippery if you’re heavily sweating but unless I’m really, really sweaty I can get away with just using a hand towel under my hands with the Manduka PRO.

If you find that slipping is a constant problem with your yoga mat, I recommend investing in a Yogitoes mat towel. They are a bit pricy but invaluable for hot yoga! Note, you can usually get a nice discount on them on Amazon.

I get asked a lot about Lululemon’s “The Mat.” It’s designed to be super grippy and non-slip even through heavy sweating. I have quite a few students who use the mat…most end up using a Yogitoes if it’s a really hot class. It’s not a bad mat but I have practiced on them a few times and the two negatives I have are 1) the smell. They’re made of natural rubber and don’t smell great. And 2) they don’t stay flat on the floor for me when moving through some more advanced poses…like they will bunch up on the floor sometimes.

Some people love them though so I can’t tell you not to try it!

Postpartum Fitness

Hello! I read your blog daily and have learned so much about fitness and motivation! Thank you! I was wondering if you could give some tips on post partum fitness. I had twins a year ago, via c section. I lost all the weight plus some fairly easily. However, I cannot get rid of a little pouch I now have! I work out daily. I wondered if you could recommend specific exercises to target this area! Any help is greatly appreciated. – Natalie

First, congrats on the twins Natalie! If you’ve lost all the weight and you’re working out…you’ve done all you can do. Carrying a child (especially twins!) can slightly change the curve of the spine and the tilt of the pelvis. It’s not uncommon for some women to develop an anterior pelvic tilt/”sway back” after pregnancy. This can give the appearance of a stomach “pouch.”

Personally, I haven’t had a child and I already have a crazy anterior pelvic tilt! The good news is that there are exercises you can do to correct it. Check out this article. (And I need to write a post on this topic soon!)

Half Marathon Training

I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of years now, and I’m always inspired by your cooking and your fitness goals, and I wish to ask your advice about training for for a half-marathon? I wish to compete in a half-marathon in July, but I’m wondering if you followed a certain program, or if you made your own? I’ve had a quick google on a number of programs, but I don’t know what are considered to be credible or not. If there is a program you recommend, please let me know, I’d love to check it out. – Haley

I always recommend the following when it comes to half marathon training plans…

• Runner’s World Smart Coach. You have to pay for this service but I think it’s totally worth it! You input your goals, current race times/paces, how many days a week you want to train and at what intensity, etc and the program spits out a training plan that includes exact paces. I love it!
• Hal Higdon Novice Half Marathon Training. Really great and accessible plan for first timers.
• Jeff Galloway Half Marathon Training. If you are interested in a run/walk method.

TV Entertainment!

Hi, I recently started watching Suits because you mentioned it on your blog and I was hooked immediately. I finished the whole set of 4 seasons. Are there any other shows that you could recommend? – Alyssa

So first things first…if you haven’t watched Suits…get on it. It comes on USA which is random but don’t judge the show for that.

You’ll get hooked on Harvey Specter…and the entire show and storyline. It has some of the best writing and character development I’ve seen on TV in years.

I have a few other TV recommendations…

– Scandal
– The Walking Dead
– House of Cards
– Mad Men
– Orange is the New Black
– Breaking Bad (if you never watched that series)
– Homeland

And that’s all I’ve got for you. Let me know if you have questions you’d like for me to answer. I’d also LOVE to hear your TV show recommendations if you have anything you love outside of what I mentioned above.

Have a great week!